Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT) Shares Acquired by SG Americas Securities LLC

SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:EPRT - Free Report) by 237.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 20,825 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 14,655 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC's holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust were worth $680,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Crowley Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in Essential Properties Realty Trust during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 1,834.4% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,180 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,119 shares during the period. Franchise Capital Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust during the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in Essential Properties Realty Trust by 439.4% in the fourth quarter. Quarry LP now owns 1,451 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 1,182 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust by 275.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,456 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,000 after purchasing an additional 1,802 shares in the last quarter. 96.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Stock Down 0.9%

EPRT stock traded down $0.29 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $32.66. 917,924 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,454,757. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $32.16 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.82. Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. has a 12-month low of $26.75 and a 12-month high of $34.88. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 7.76, a quick ratio of 7.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

Essential Properties Realty Trust (NYSE:EPRT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.46 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $129.35 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $124.88 million. Essential Properties Realty Trust had a net margin of 44.62% and a return on equity of 6.13%. The company's revenue was up 24.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.42 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. will post 1.83 EPS for the current year.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.67%. This is a boost from Essential Properties Realty Trust's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Essential Properties Realty Trust's dividend payout ratio is presently 102.61%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP A Joseph Peil sold 13,227 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.96, for a total value of $435,961.92. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 76,590 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,524,406.40. This trade represents a 14.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 5th. Scotiabank raised their target price on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Barclays reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $37.00 price target (up from $35.00) on shares of Essential Properties Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Essential Properties Realty Trust from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Essential Properties Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $34.91.

Essential Properties Realty Trust Company Profile

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc, a real estate company, acquires, owns, and manages single-tenant properties in the United States. The company leases its properties to middle-market companies, such as restaurants, car washes, automotive services, medical and dental services, convenience stores, equipment rental, entertainment, early childhood education, grocery, and health and fitness on a long-term basis.